Contrasting pathways to tree longevity in gymnosperms and angiosperms

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41320%2F25%3A106279" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41320/25:106279 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60076658:12310/25:43910791

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67619-2" target="_blank" >https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67619-2</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67619-2" target="_blank" >10.1038/s41467-025-67619-2</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Contrasting pathways to tree longevity in gymnosperms and angiosperms

Original language description

Tree longevity is thought to increase in growth-limiting, adverse environments, but a quantitative assessment of drivers of global variation in tree longevity is lacking. We assemble a global database of maximum longevity for 739 tree species and analyse associations between longevity and climate, soil, and species' functional traits. Our results show two primary pathways towards long lifespans. The first is slow growth in resource-limited environments, consistent with the "adversity begets longevity" paradigm. The second pathway is through relief from abiotic constraints in productive environments. Despite notable exceptions, long-lived gymnosperms tend to follow the first path through slow growth in cold environments, whereas long-lived angiosperms tend to follow the second ("productivity") path reaching maximum longevity generally in humid environments. For angiosperms, we identify two mechanisms for increased longevity under humid conditions. First, higher water availability increases species' maximum tree height which is associated with greater longevities. Secondly, greater water availability increases stand density and inter-tree competition, limiting growth which may increase tree lifespan. The documented differences between gymnosperm and angiosperm longevity are likely rooted in intrinsic differences in hydraulic architecture that provide fitness advantages for gymnosperms under high abiotic stress, and for angiosperms under increased productivity or competition.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40102 - Forestry

Project

<a href="/en/project/GF24-12210K" target="_blank" >GF24-12210K: Thermophilic forests as climate analogues for future temperate forests in Europe</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Nature Communications

ISSN

2041-1723

e-ISSN

2041-1723

Volume of the periodical

17

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

1-14

UT code for WoS article

001668142400006

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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